COOPERATION OF ATP AND NOREPINEPHRINE IN INDUCING CONTRACTILE RESPONSES IN GUINEA-PIG VAS-DEFERENS

Stimulation of the hypogastric nerve to the guinea pig vas deferens induced biphasic contraction consisting of a rapid transient phase (mediated by ATP) and a delayed tonic phase (mediated by norepinephrine, NE), whereas stimulations in the presence of selective antagonists caused each contractile phase separately. Stimulation in the absence of antagonist induced a larger rapid transient contraction than that induced by stimulation in the presence of α1-antagonist. Results obtained in separate or simultaneous additions of exogenous ATP and NE showed synergism in the rapid transient contraction. These findings indicate that NE assisted ATP in inducing the hypogastric nerve-mediated contractile response in guinea pig vas deferens, but not vice versa. © 1990, The Japanese Pharmacological Society. All rights reserved.